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An Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus (EEBA) is NOT an SCBA and is ONLY permitted to be used to EVACUATE a hazardous atmosphere – NEVER to enter one, especially one within a Permit-Required Confined Space! |
On 1 April 2022, after completing the loading of coal cargo, the Singapore registered bulk carrier, Nozomi, was anchored at the Tanjung Api–Api anchorage, South Sumatera, Indonesia. While waiting for cargo export documents and scheduled pilot to embark, four crew members were tasked to grease the booby hatch dog handles for the No.5 cargo hold.
During the greasing process, one of the four crew members, an Able Seafarer Deck (ASD), was discovered lying inside the cargo hold on top of the coal cargo. An emergency rescue was initiated but could not save the ASD.
The investigation revealed that the ASD had entered the cargo hold to retrieve a dropped dog handle and had likely succumbed to the oxygen-deficient atmosphere while exiting the cargo hold. The investigation also determined that the greasing task was unplanned, and the hazards associated with the coal cargo were overlooked. The investigation also revealed that there was no proper signage to warn the crew to treat the cargo hold as an enclosed space.
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